A-Rosa boss raises almost £6k after Marathon des Sables run

A-Rosa River Cruises’ Lucia Rowe has raised almost £6,000 for Reuben’s Retreat after tackling the gruelling Marathon des Sables race across the Sahara in Morocco.

 

The cruise line’s UK and Ireland managing director began training for the challenge earlier this year, as she approached her 50th birthday and had another six-month bill of remission from leukaemia – having been diagnosed five years ago.

 

Runners in the seven-day 250km event – dubbed the “toughest foot race in the world” – have to carry their equipment and camp every night.

 

She managed to cover 168km of the “most hostile and harsh environment that you can ever imagine”.

 

But at 4am on the fourth day, after running for 22 hours, she was taken to the medical tent and treated for two hours for suspected hypothermia.

 

“These poor feet got shattered on the first day and then the whole race became about managing the pain,” she said.

 

“I’ve seen heaven and hell. I fought with everything I had and cried many, many tears.

 

“[It was] mind over matter to get to the next checkpoint. And then the next…and the next.

 

“Back in the UK, I can still hardly walk up and down the stairs inside my home.”

However, she said she had a “blast”, adding: “The world has shifted for me in a way that I cannot explain.

 

“There’s a reason why God put us on this Earth. I’ve found my reason in the Sahara… it was written in those amazing stars, swept in the furious sandstorms and drenched in cold, heavy rains.”

Founded in August 2012, Reuben’s Retreat has a house in Glossop, Derbyshire, which supports families who have suffered the loss of a child or have a child living with medical complexities.

 

Nicola Graham, founder of Reuben’s Retreat, said: “As I share these words of gratitude, we have 14 families arriving for an Easter ‘Eggstravanganza’.

 

“None of these families know what the future holds for their beautiful and unique children as they navigate their medical complexities.

 

“Champion hearts like Lucia’s raising vital pennies means that we can open our doors and hearts to these families and gift them the opportunity to make memories, as these moments of magic are all you have to hold onto should the worst happen.

 

“We are overwhelmed by Lucia’s efforts and commitment.

 

“Her immense challenge has raised a phenomenal amount of love and equates to funding our Retreat for 25 wholesome therapeutic days. She is one remarkable human being and an inspiration.”

 

To find out more about Rowe’s challenge and to donate, visit her JustGiving page here.

 

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